(from the Jan 3, 1994 Olympian Thurston County) Sergent follows  life's goal Nancy Gassett sergeant, highest ranking woman In the Olympia police force. Joined the department in January 1989. Was a police officer for a few years in Idaho.

My favorite part of this job is catching  the crooks who hurt truly innocent people. Everyone should be accountable for their actions. I really enjoy people, especially children. I have the opportunity in this job to see some of the most humorous and rewarding situations that life has to offer. I've always been interested in law enforcement.

I started as a cadet explorer when I was 14 years old. Female police officers do face, challenges that male officers do not encounter. First of all, many people still believe that women should not participate in non-traditional professions. Female officers are often viewed as less competent simply because of our gender or physical size. I remember one incident where I responded to a domestic disturbance call. I was met at the front door by the female complainant. She told me that she wanted "a real officer."

Unfortunately, all officers are, routinely confronted with aggressive verbal behavior. Often the remarks made to women are of an obscene sexual nature. Male officers are also subjected to these kinds of comments, however, perhaps not to the same extent. I think the same gender issues that affect any business are present in the police department. For example, I am offended by the use of profanity or sexually inappropriate remarks by department members. Some perceive this as a gender-based concern. I see it as a matter of common decency and professionalism. Our department works proactively to make the work environment  free of sexual harassment. But we are not perfect yet.

When I was promoted (in 1992), two officers told me that they didn’t feel comfortable working for a woman sergeant. I think that kind of mindset is present in many job environments.  But for these officers, they had only recently begun working with women officers and had never been supervised by a female. Because of this, I felt that I was more closely scrutinized and that some officers were unfairly critical.

My husband is also a police officer (Olympia Officer Chuck Gassett). We have an extremely rewarding and positive relationship. The stability of our marriage is enhanced because we truly understand each other's job. My parents are very proud of what I do and I have always had their complete love and support. The day-to-day events of this job have brought heartache and grief at times, but my family and personal relationships don't suffer.

The Lacey Police Department has recently hired some outstanding female officers. Olympia has five female officers; there is a total of 65 commissioned officers. We have not hired a female officer for a few years. I would like to see more women in our department, but only if they are the best suited for the job among the applicants. All of the female officers here earned their positions because they tested at the top of their lists, completed rigorous training and have strong work ethics.

I am the only woman in a supervisory position in our department. In the past, the department simply did not have a female test well enough to be promoted. I just hope more women test well enough to obtain promotion.

Below is an e-mail I received from a former Olympia, Washington resident.

From: ~~~~~~~~@aol.com
To: Louis Bloom manaco@whidbey.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 11:34 AM
Subject: OKBR
Just came across your pages and felt the urge to respond... In the early 80's (81-83) I was at the OKBR frequently as a young kid walking to/from school, I became friends with some of the boys. At one point a small boy confided to me that he was being raped by another boy in the home. The abusing boy talked about it openly!
Days later I walked the victim to OPD where we both gave statements. Later that evening I began to receive these incredibly threatening phone calls from a woman employee of the ranch who's name I believe was Paulette at my home. She kept calling over and over screaming at me calling me names. It was horrible. I thought I was helping someone. Nothing came of it. Then all these years later, it all comes out ... one of the boys that I had known there left as a young adult and still couldn't get it together, he eventually killed himself. As an adult now I don't often think back to those times but it still saddens me. All those boys that needed a safe nurturing place to be, and how many of them were better off for having been taken there? It's not about money. It cost these boys their lives, their souls, their trust. Those people who knew, who didn't care, they should feel such shame. Just my opinion.

From: louis a bloom manaco@whidbey.net
To: ~~~~~~~@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: OKBR
thanks for your e-mail. from what i've read, dshs, the olympia police department, and other "authorities" didn't consider child on child rape to be against the law. it was considered "normal experimentation". The "paulette" you mention, may have been Collette Queener who was an assistant director at the OKBR. Collette, OKBR Director Tom Van Woerdan, and OKBR counselor Laura Rambo Russell were ineptly charged by Wa. St. with "criminal mistreatment for failing to stop abuse". The charges were dismissed by Thurston County Judge Daniel Berschauer on technicalities. The lawyer who represented Collette Queener said, (Nov. 14, 1996 Olympian), that it was a "witch hunt", and that " a more innocent person (than Queener) you could not have for a client. She's an ex-nun ..... I don't see how you could view her in an evil or negative light."
I congratulate you for doing the right thing, when all those adults looked the other way. I repeat on most pages that the " OKBR has cost the Washington State taxpayers over $35 million dollars (so far)", because I think most people don't care about the kids involved, but they may care that it has cost them (taxpayers) money.
louis bloom

manaco@whidbey.net